Dear Editor,
I WRITE this letter as a student of the University of Guyana. Many times we as a people focus on the negatives and we never acknowledge the positives of a person or institution. Recently, some staff members of the University of Guyana staged a protest for an increase in wages.

While I will not comment on this as I advocate for fair compensation for work, I’d like to speak to the negativity that has been linked to the activities spearheaded by the vice- chancellor and the claim that he has wasted money doing his “talks and cocktails.”
While I am not aware of the costs of these sessions, they all are usually branded with a number of companies listed at sponsors. So I highly doubt they cost the university anything substantial, to the point where they are a waste of funds or affects staff getting a raise. I’ll pay much attention to the talks and cocktails in this letter because for one, I understand the importance of these kinds of civic engagements, alumni engagements and events that allow the university brand to be further recognised and the community strengthened.

In fact, events are the perfect incubators for fundraising. I’m sure Vice-Chancellor Griffith has been able to secure funding for the university as an offshoot from a number of events that the university has hosted. Added to that, these events have allowed students like myself to contribute to important conversations about our country, and have allowed us to pitch ideas, and talk about our journey, bridging the generational gaps and encouraging healthy discourse among ourselves, academics and professionals, boosting our leadership skills and opening up our minds beyond that of a box.

In my time at the University of Guyana, I’ve seen new buildings going up; I’ve seen old buildings completely refurbished; I’ve seen the past and present UGSS presidents pushing their agendas and making headway; I’ve seen the sports being hosted at a true track facility; I’ve seen the university brand constantly in the media; and I’ve seen an increase of students. The University of Guyana has a long way to go, but that journey has started and the changes are visible, tangible and real.

Regards
Yonnick David